Slenderman (and most of his dopplegangers) is derived not from some legend out of legend (not mentioning the hallucinations that could come from some Legends). It's not Norse, at least not from what research I've gathered. Although there is talk about a firewyrm going around, but that's neither here nor there.
From most of what I have gathered, it all began with some contest over at somethingawful.
Very creepypasta.
With all things (it must be said), there comes a price.
Sadly, as a species, you are doomed to failure.
From the 'legend' came a throng of... well, impersonators.
Whoever was first, it matters little now, as history will proclaim the winner (therefore who writes it).
MarbleHornets, EverymanHYBRID, TribeTwelve... the future documentors of late-night YouTubery.
What is my obsession with late night?
From there, all sorts of mischief pops up.
DarkHarvest, BoneCreek, DarkJournal.
Slenderman grows in leaps and bounds.
When you craft something, when you give it life, you must be careful. When these things are loosed upon the world, whether known or unknown to you, it can take on new life. It may have the capacity for individual thought. Sure, you may not be terrified by an eldritch creature from out of shadows, but there are plenty of idiots growing out there who may, and plenty of idiots now who are.
You gave it life, idiots.
Still, much like Eaters of the Dead, to name it is to give it power. To fear it, gives it power.
The human mind (incapable most days of even the most minute rational thought) is exceedingly powerful. Especially over itself.
Should you believe (blindly) that a fire will not burn you, there is a chance that you may feel no pain.
Oh, your hand's flesh will still sizzle (maybe), you may even feel slight heat (possibly), or you may cringe as you damage your hand for the rest of your (natural) life.
But there is a slim chance (SLIM) that your hand may escape unscathed.
Slenderman is real to many.
He stalks them, he plays proxies of one another, and he may even steal away your children.
For what nefarious purpose? I'm not completely sure.
There's a 'free candy' joke in there somewhere.
He (or it) has been built up so much that his presence has instilled fear in the strongest of mortal minds.
But, only because they have allowed it to be.
The others (the more disturbing of the lot) are different.
They don't use the mystery or uncertainty for profit-sharing or view hits.
It's a form of control.
There is a chance that there may be a 'copycat' out there, using the joint literary effort of others to perpetuate their stalking behaviors. Could it be that there are 'proxies' out there, kidnapping, torturing, or perhaps even (gasp! sob!) killing people?
The fact is humans, whether you want to believe it or not, that there are scary things out there that DO go 'bump in the night'. They may or may not take the visage of legend.
Not that I want to frighten any of you, that would be a mistake. The human brain doesn't learn very well in a frightened frantic state.
Fear is a powerful motivator!
Just not much for learning.
Except maybe not to think fire won't hurt if you stick your hand in it.
To those of you who are pursued by these creatures, chin up.
They may have all the power since you long ago gave in to fear.
But do not go doggedly into the night, scraping your last meal from garbage bins, succumbing to the inevitable clash when Slendy takes you to the Phantom Zone.
Chin up, Defender.
The world is watching.
-Agent Wraith
